Great Fish River – Grassridge Dam to Cradock

About

80km marathon section, paddled over 2 days. Year-round water from the Gariep-Fish transfer scheme. Mostly easy rapids - weirs are the main hazard. Compulsory-portage weirs are dangerous and must not be attempted. DAY 1 (Grassridge Dam to Knutsford): - Portage the dam wall after a short paddle on Grassridge. - Willows overhang much of the river; several fences with openings. - Collet weir - portage right. Natural drop just below is runnable. - Toastrack low-level bridge - take 1st or 2nd opening from right and duck. Strong current, K1s wrap easily. - Keith's Flyover - biggest rapid, ends in a big hole. Portage right over Keith Collet bridge. - Brak River weir - portage left. - Prospect bridge - portage left. - Soutpan's weir - centre chute. - Soutpan's rapid - 2nd biggest. Enter the designated bridge opening, immediately left or right of a rocky island, then right-hand line. - Katkop weir - portage right. - Glenalfa bridge - centre or left-of-centre opening. - Last rapid before Knutsford - far right. DAY 2 (Knutsford to Cradock): - More open, no major rapids, several serious weirs. - Baroda weir - COMPULSORY portage. - Gauging weir - shootable ~2m from left bank. - Marlow causeway - COMPULSORY portage. - Marlow weir - run dead centre of the paddler chute. - Cradock weir - many swims here, easy to portage. Runners slide the V at 45 degrees facing left, brace on descent and right at the bottom. - Easy into Cradock.

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